Fresh Crisis Rocks PDP as Governors, BoT Oppose Saraki-Led Reconciliation Efforts

A fresh crisis has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governors and members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) have pushed back against the latest reconciliation moves led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. The party’s leadership is once again divided, just days ahead of its critical National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.

Saraki, appointed to lead a seven-member committee aimed at unifying the party ahead of its August elective convention, has drawn backlash after his panel reportedly endorsed Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s return as National Secretary. This decision, made following a May 12 meeting with some National Working Committee (NWC) members, sparked outrage among governors, BoT members, and other stakeholders who say they were not consulted.

Party insiders revealed that Anyanwu’s reinstatement was perceived as a unilateral move that disregarded an earlier consensus. After the Supreme Court ruled on March 21 that Anyanwu’s removal was beyond judicial intervention due to its internal party nature, PDP governors requested a fresh nominee from the South-East, which led to the appointment of Setonji Koshoedo as Acting Secretary. His nomination was later ratified by the NWC on April 29 and his name reportedly forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, Saraki’s subsequent endorsement of Anyanwu has unsettled key figures within the party, including Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa), alongside BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara. The South-East caucus, which had supported Udeh-Okoye as the rightful secretary, issued a warning that they might reconsider their commitment to the PDP if their position is not respected.

According to party sources, the Saraki-led panel did not consult all relevant stakeholders before making its decision, further aggravating tensions within the party. One senior PDP official noted that the party had enjoyed relative calm since Koshoedo’s appointment and accused the reconciliation committee of disrupting that peace by ignoring due process.

While critics argue that Saraki’s endorsement violated party unity, others defended the move, claiming it was in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment. A party insider warned that disregarding the ruling could undermine the PDP’s legal standing in future political disputes.

Attempts to obtain responses from Saraki and PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as of press time.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed his full support for the reconciliation process, describing it as vital for national recovery. Speaking through his media adviser, Atiku emphasized that the coalition of opposition parties must proceed without hindrance, calling it a necessary response to Nigeria’s ongoing political and economic challenges.

He reiterated his membership in the PDP and insisted that efforts to resolve internal disputes must be complemented by broader alliances with other opposition forces such as the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party. According to Atiku, the survival and relevance of the PDP and other opposition groups are critical to mounting an effective challenge against the ruling party.

Despite the turmoil, some party leaders remain optimistic. Former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri and ex-Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi downplayed the crisis, describing it as part of the normal dynamics within a large political organisation. Tsauri insisted the party would emerge stronger, stating that both Anyanwu and Udeh-Okoye would vacate their posts by December when a new NWC will be elected.

However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the PDP’s reconciliation efforts, labeling the party as politically irrelevant. APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim described the Saraki-led initiative as “dead on arrival” and claimed that the PDP had lost public confidence.

As the NEC meeting approaches, the PDP faces mounting pressure to resolve its internal disputes and project unity, with many observers warning that its future electoral viability could be at stake if the crisis persists.